AMERG050: Latin American Political Economy

Module convenor: Dr Néstor Castañeda

Not running in 2017/18

Outline:

Can political institutions promote economic growth and equality? To answer this question, one must understand how the rules governing political interaction affect economic policy-making and outcomes. This module introduces students to the politics of economic policy-making in Latin America and analyzes the role of political institutions for economic performance and their implications for equitable development. In particular, students will be asked to evaluate whether or not there are distinct and enduring institutional and political paths for sustainable and equitable economic growth and why Latin American countries have or have not found these paths.

This module also seeks to understand the tensions generated by development and democracy for a region undergoing an intense process of economic growth. We will examine the following questions: How central is politics to equitable economic development in Latin America? Why do some institutions promote better economic performance than others? Why do some governments redistribute more than others? Why do governments implement policies that hinder development?

This module is assessed by a 4,000-word essay.

Introductory reading:

• Acemoglu, D., Robinson, J.A., 2012. Why Nations Fail. Crown Publishers

• Boix, C., 2003. Democracy and Redistribution. CUP

• Falleti, T.G., 2010. Decentralization and Subnational Politics in Latin America. CUP

• Haber, S. 2000. Political Institutions and Economic Growth in Latin America. Hoover Institution

• Helmke, G., Rios-Figueroa, J. (eds.), 2014. Courts in Latin America. CUP

• Kingstone, P.R., Yashar, D.J. (eds.), 2012. Routledge Handbook of Latin American Politics. Routledge

• Kitschelt, H., Hawkins, K.A., Luna, J.P., Rosas, G., Zechmeister, E.J., 2010. Latin American Party Systems. CUP

• Morgenstern, S., Nacif, B. (eds.), 2002. Legislative Politics in Latin America. CUP.

• Ocampo, J.A., Ros, J. (eds.), 2011. Oxford Handbook of Latin American Economics. OUP

• Santiso, J., Dayton-Johnson, J. (eds.), 2012. Oxford Handbook of Latin American Political Economy. OUP

• Scartascini, C., Stein, E., Tommasi, M. (eds.), 2010. How Democracy Works, IADB

• Schneider, B.R., 2013. Hierarchical Capitalism in Latin America. CUP

• Thorp, R., 1998. Progress, Poverty and Exclusion. IADB